PTHB puts in place alternative services to neurology services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Powys Teaching Health Board has taken prompt action to put in place alternative services for its patients after being advised by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) that new referrals to neurology services at SaTH hospitals will be temporarily unavailable from 28 March 2017. Neurology appointments are temporarily unavailable to new patient referrals from all of the Trust's catchment across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales. Neurology deals with conditions affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerve, muscle and their connections. The following services are affected: - New referrals for neurology appointments at SaTH (including at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital). - This relates to SaTH, so will primarily affect people living in central and eastern Montgomeryshire. The following services are not affected: - Existing referrals for treatment at SaTH (e.g. if you have already been referred for an appointment). - Follow-up appointments at SaTH. - New referrals and follow-up appointments with other providers (e.g. for residents of other parts of Powys). What alternative services are in place? Whilst these temporary measures are in place, Powys Teaching Health Board is working with other providers including The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs the New Cross Hospital, to provide an alternative service. What do I need to do? - Patients being referred for neurology appointments do not need to take any action. - Emergency care remains unchanged. - If you have already been referred to SaTH, or are receiving follow-up appointments, then your care and treatment is unaffected. - If you are being referred for new care and treatment for neurological conditions then your GP (or other referring clinician) will explain the alternative service that is in place and refer you to the alternative service. The North Locality Management Team are informing GPs in the locality about the process for making referrals to the temporary service. How long will the temporary arrangements be in place? This temporary measure will come into effect from 28 March 2017. The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust will review this over the next six months. Why are these neurology services at SATH closed to new referrals? The Neurology Service at SaTH has experienced some difficulties in managing the demand of referrals. Carol McInnes, Assistant Chief Operating Officer for Unscheduled Care at SaTH, said: “The temporary suspension of Neurology Services to new referrals is not a decision we have taken lightly. The service has been under considerable pressure due to workforce constraints for some time. “SaTH currently has two Consultant Neurologists supported by one Locum. Despite the Trust’s best efforts, we have so far been unable to secure additional full-time or Locum capacity. “This is a temporary measure and the operational team is fully committed to developing a sustainable solution for the service. SaTH will be using this period to establish a substantive solution. "I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause people." Hayley Thomas, Director of Planning and Performance at Powys Teaching Health Board said: “We recognise that this interim arrangement is not ideal for Powys residents, but the alternative service does meet the high standards expected from any NHS provider and patients will continue to receive excellent standards of care. “We would also like to thank The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust for their support to us and to Powys patients at this time. We hope that this temporary measure will allow SaTH time to address the pressures it is facing, and to resume delivering this service for Powys residents as soon as possible.” Further Information, Comments and Concerns If you have questions or concerns about your neurology referral to The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust please talk to your GP (or the clinician who referred you, if this was not your GP) in the first instance. Comments or concerns about your health care can also be raised with the Powys Teaching Health Board Patient Experience Team on 01874 712697 or email concerns.qualityandsafety.POW@wales.nhs.uk More information is available from our website at www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/complaints The Community Health Council exists to represent and protect public interests in health and social care by monitoring the quality of care, seeking redress where appropriate and acting as a source of information for local people. They are available to advise and provide assistance to anyone with a suggestion or concern about the health service. Your local CHC can be contacted at: Powys CHC, Ladywell House, Newtown, Powys SY16 1JQ Tel 01686 627632 Email: enquiries.powyschc@waleschc.org.uk